Murdock's already has nine branches in Northern Ireland and two outlets in Dublin. And 12 FR Cathcart employees will now join Murdock's 300-strong workforce.

Ann Morgan, Murdock's CEO, said the investment would bring opportunities. "We feel privileged to bring such a well-respected family-owned company as FR Cathcart Ltd into the Murdock Group," she said.

Director Richard Cathcart, the son of Frederick, who founded the business in 1973, added: "The Cathcart family is confident that this is the right time to hand over the reins of the merchanting division of FR Cathcart Ltd to Murdock Builder's Merchants."

Belfast Telegraph

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